A VILLAGE SETTLER INTERVIEWED.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 337, 26 January 1889, Page 5

A VILLAGE SETTLER INTERVIEWED.

We had an opportunity of seeing several sebtleis and knowing their opinions. But we made a point of putting several definite questions to one. The following is a short dialogue which ensued ; — Do you consider the village settlement a success here ? —Yes most assuredly, on the whole : but it would have been still more so if all the settlers were of the right stamp. How many of them have given up their sections ? —Thiee. Do you consider the settlers better off now than when they came ? —Most of them are in a far better position. There is hardly one that has nob a cow; someha\e several, be/sides other cattle. Are there any more sections likely to be given up ? —I am not aware of any. Are the settlers generally satisfied ?—? — Theie are a few grumblers, but I believe most of them are well satisfied with their sections, though in most cases they think the land valued too high for such broken scrub land. Do you consider the teims and conditions on which the land was taken up favourable to the settlers ?—Undoubtedly, if carried out; some modifications might be made in them with advantage. What is the opinion of the settlers a.s to continuing on their present conditions, or with the option of acquiring the freehold? —That is the line on which the alterations should be made. A clause should be inserted in every lease giving power to acquire the freehold on equally favourable terms as the perpetual leasehold. Mo&t of the settlers wish for thig. How many have availed themselves of the Government grant to build their houses ?—? — About 24. Do you think 50 acres enough tor a man and family to get a living on ?—No ; it ought to be 100 acres. Is it a fact that most of the settlei-s took up the land without any capital ?—Very fow of them had any. Will they be able to stiugyle on without capital and make a living ?—Most oi them that uve industrious are doing so, and will succeed. Few of them would care to go back to the old town life.

The arrangements for the forthcoming vi&ib ot Irish delegates to the colonies (writes a London correspondent) are at length complete. Sir Thomas Esmonde and Mr Deasy-Cave leave on 19th December for the Capo, where they will disembark and go on a speaking tour through the principal cities of South Africa. This, they estimate, will occupy a month. They will then resume the voyage to Australia, and will bo joined at Melbourne by Mr John Dillon, who will travel by the direct route. Mr Dillon, who is the deputy leader of the Irish Parliamentary party in the absenco of Mr Parnell, cannot remain in the colonies as long as he would wifrh, for he must be back in his placo soon after the opening of next session ; but Sir Thomas Esmonde and Mr Deasy will remain behind and make a systematic tour of Australia and New Zealand. Mr Dillon is a singularly eloquent and fascinating speaker when in good form ; but ho is very delicate in constitution, and. his voice is far from robust. The committees in charge of his reception would do well to bear that in mind when, selecting the halls for the delivery of his addresses. Notwithstanding the crowds that will be wanting to hear him, it will be wisest and best to engage small or medium-sized halls. Sir Thomas Esmonde has a good voice, that could be heard, all over the Melbourne Town Hall. Prior to his recent Ameiican tour the young baronet had not acquired much celebrity as a speaker ; but five months' constant practice lias effected a considerable improvement in his oratory. Mr Deasy, the third member ofcthe embassy, has been an indefatigable whip of the party, and has fairly earned his little trip to the Antipodes. There are twelve rescue Homes in England, holding, on an average, 150 unfortunates each. These Homes are almost invariably full. The Salvation Army has been instrumental in taking 600 of these poor creatures off the streets of London in one year, 400 of whom are promising cases. A Scotch lassie objected to her lover's smoking, and said to him: "Choose between your cigar and me." He promptly cho&e the weed, and the girl sued him for breach of promise. The Court held that by offering the alternative^ v sponsible tor the broken engagement. ,